I was fortunate enough to get my package of TGY on Saturday; living a stone's throw from Chip doesn't hurt!

I was able to try #5 and #4 today, and I have to say, I have had a near identical experience to rhondabee! Well, except for the potato part.

The sort of grassiness that I faintly thought I tasted in #5 has gone completely in #4, which is more of a typical sweet orchid. #4 ramped up the flavor slightly from #5 (or so it seemed), but it is still a bit under my preference (at the 1g/1oz level).

I'm currently enjoying #1, having made my way through 3 and 2 earlier today. Throughout, I brewed the tea in my ~120ml gaiwan, using ~4g. I did 30 second rinses, 30 second rests, and then brewed at 1m, 1m, 2m, 4-5min, 7-10min.

Keeping these parameters steady throughout the series, I found the flavor "dial" to be cranked up as I progressed (not surprising). The level of flavor at #2 and #1 is about where I prefer my oolongs. Granted, I could probably brew the lower graders longer, or add more tea, but that wasn't the point for me. Although I admit that I enjoyed the lower grades as a bit of 'tease,' they were also a nice way to enjoy the orchid/floral quality of the tea.

The #3 really cranked in a buttery quality that I was not expecting, almost reminding me of some Japanese greens. I quickly found myself only really tasting this tea in the aftertaste, though. #2 seemed to tip the scale back toward the floral/orchid quality, while #1 seemed to bring them both (the buttery orchid) forward like an avalanche.

With #2 and #1, I found that I could have brewed beyond the 5, while the earlier ones, the tea was pretty much spent at the 5th infusion.

Anyway, those are my simple thoughts on these amazing tea. I really enjoyed this first run-through. I am going to wait for more comment before I run through the series again w/ the remaining sample to focus on what other people point out.

One question -- I found it hard to tell quality of the tea from the look of the dried leaves. The aroma sort of followed my expectations, and the spent leaves as well, but the "before" picture... I wasn't sure what to be looking for. Thoughts?

I definitely noticed the "eggy" taste that Brandon mentioned. I'm not really a big fan of this flavor, but it's not bad or anything. This tea also smells a little more herb-y, or spicy I guess, than the 5th grade. Nice mouthfeel, amazing lilac scent, fluorescent yellow liquor. Definitely more flavor than the 5th grade as well.

Got mine today. They are looking so professional now. Thanks to Adiagio for supplying the bags and thanks to Chip and his wife for taking the time and effort to provide such a deluxe service once again!

My package arrived today. I immediately fired up the tea kettle and used #5 to practice brewing and drinking tea in my (very) small gaiwan. The gaiwan is very easy to handle, even though it's tiny.

I didn't realize I was supposed to rinse the leaves, so I hope there was nothing toxic on them. The flavor was pleasant but weak - probably because I used the wrong brewing parameter - water not hot enough, time not long enough and possibly not enough tea. Still, I enjoyed the first round and I'm looking forward to more tastings.

#5 was brewed up today and I for one was impressed. If I didn't know the others were going to be even more delicious then I would have been happy with this one! Perhaps I should stop here and not get spoiled...

I tried grades 3 & 2 today at work using 120 ml gaiwan. The dry leaves of both grades had that fresh green herbal scent.

Grade 3: This seemed to be a bit more complex in scent to me that 4 & 5 grades. It was more floral along with the potato (orchid?) scent. There was again a slight sour scent/taste I enjoyed. The 3rd infusion was very buttery scented to me. Full mouth flavor and the flavor stayed strong in my mouth. I enjoyed this tea and it lasted 5 or 6 infusions for me.

Grade 2: This had a much more butter/potato scent with undercurrent of floralness. When the leaves cooled they smelled much more perfume-like. The second infusion had almost a sweet scent. The taste was very full, strong, almost creamy. I steeped this tea 6 times as of now, and will steep it some more as it still has flavor. Very nice.